The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-02-19

motion of the wearer causing these
sticks to vibrate and the bells to
Jingle. This is an emblem of rank,
and when invested with it one usu-
ally gives away a horse. There are
four drummers. Each one is pro-
vided with a stick about three feet
long, one end notched and wrapped
around with quilts and beads, the
other end sharpened. These are
stuck in the ground, and drums
with corresponding loops are hung
on to them. The dancers seat
themselves in ring ON the ground,
wrapped in their blankets, the
drummers on one side chanting
and beating their drums. At a
signal all jump up, and, throwing
their arms aloft, chant with uncouth
gestures and an occasional whoop !;
dance for a few moments, when all
but one seat themselves. This one,
standing in the ring, keeps on with
wild gestures, wildly waving his
tomahawk. OF a sudden he will
seat himself, and in low, monOto-
nous chant rccite his exploits of
war and chase, after which all will
jump up, dance and yell, and the
same performances are again gone
through with. This is kept up for
several days at time, or until all
the provisions are exhausted. Dur
ing this dance, if any member
wishes a divorce from his wife he
gets up and proclaims that she is
no longer his wife, or that he has
been deputized by some one not a
member (naming him. to say that
he has "thrown away" his wife.
An outsider by payment can depu-
tie a member to do this. In their
own eyes this makes him brave
man and big chief.
The dance is arranged for in this
way: A steward is appointed to
collect provisions, and no one dares
refuse him. After collecting suf-
ficicnt to last several days he noti-
fies the leaders. They call in the
lodge and form arrangements for
the dance, and then the village
crier goes around and proclaims
that the dance will take place about
such a time. If any questions
are to be decided the head men dis
cuss it, after which it is put to
vote. One deputizcd goes to each
member present and asks him for
his decision, the result showing
whether the question is carried or
lost. Then the council is closed,
outsiders are allowed to enter and
the dance begins. An old woman
invited the leader of the straw
dance to dance in her tepee, cook
ing everything she had for that
purpose and stating her poverty.
He Immediately sent the crier
around the camp, and in few
hours all the members were pres
ent, as they will drop any work or
pleasure they may have to attend
these dances. After consulting in
secret all were invited in. The
leader commenced whirling around
very much like the whirling der
wishes, stating the cause of the
meeting to aid and assist this old
woman. The result was thirteen
blankets, calico, fine cloth, skins,
flour and pork.
When any question ofimportance
is brought before the order there
are many councils and much
pow-wowing. Often another lodge
will be called in TO help make the
decision, which, once arrived at, is
always carried out. This society
is of late date, but is the most pow
erful among the Indians. No
member will undertake to be
spokesman for an outsider unless
bribed by a present, generally a
gun or a horse, so the more infiu-
entail gain from 40 to 100 horses
during the year, but then have to
give away many to retain their in
fluence. Women are not admitted
to this order. PAUL DEcKwITn.